Bloober Team’s journey in the gaming industry is a fascinating transformation story. Once a relatively unknown studio producing small-scale mobile titles, the Polish developer has since risen to become a visionary force in the horror genre. It wasn’t an overnight success—early ventures such as the Layers of Fear games showed promise but lacked refinement. However, with Observer, their signature style of psychological horror began to crystalize.
The true turning point came with The Medium. This eerie and atmospheric experience borrowed heavily from PlayStation 2-era survival horror while introducing a fresh dual-reality mechanic. It cemented Bloober Team’s identity as a modern horror stylist and earned them the prestigious opportunity to remake Silent Hill 2. Against all odds, they delivered one of the most faithful and celebrated horror remakes ever, solidifying their reputation and opening the door for a remake of the original Silent Hill.
Now, riding the momentum of that achievement, Bloober Team ventures into completely new territory with an original IP: Cronos: The New Dawn. A disturbing mix of body horror, survival mechanics, and psychological storytelling, the game poses countless questions: What exactly was “The Change”? Who is “The Collective”? And why is the story set in an alternate 1980s Poland? Let’s dive into this nightmarish journey.
Setting the Stage: A World After “The Change”
The game’s opening wastes no time—players are instantly thrown into a bleak, post-apocalyptic world where survival feels fragile. There is little handholding; instead, you are left to piece together the mystery from scattered notes, haunting symbolism, and the unsettling design of the environment.
The ruined city of Nowa Świt, occupied by oppressive Soviet communists, reflects an alternate Poland locked in decay. Streets and buildings are empty, remnants of a society reduced to husks. The world feels suffocating, and every step deepens the sense of unease.
At the center of this desolation is the protagonist, known only as The Traveler. Stoic, mysterious, and obedient to the mission of the Collective, she initially feels more like an automaton than a person. But as her story unfolds, players gradually witness her transformation—she confronts the truth behind The Change, the secrets of the Collective, and her own fractured identity.
The Traveler’s Journey and Gameplay Structure
The Traveler’s mission is clear: succeed where countless predecessors have failed. Each ruined zone branches out from her hub area, offering labyrinthine paths filled with abominations, environmental puzzles, locked doors, and disturbing imagery.
Every expedition climaxes with the discovery of a time rift. These tears allow her to revisit past versions of each location, uncovering truths about The Change while progressing the overarching story. Along the way, she encounters the remains of fallen Travelers. Their stories of failure enrich the narrative while also providing the tools she needs to move forward.
Gameplay emphasizes tension at every turn. Ammo is scarce, healing items are rationed, and enemies often attack in packs. The Traveler’s combat style is limited but deliberate—weak punches, stomps, and a modest arsenal with charge attacks. Enemies grow stronger by consuming corpses, forcing players to burn bodies to deny them power, evoking echoes of Resident Evil’s remakes.
Psychological Horror: Hallucinations and Soul Harvesting
Cronos isn’t just about grotesque monsters—it plays with your mind. One of the most impactful mechanics involves harvesting tormented souls. Absorbing these souls grants powerful perks, such as increased damage or resource bonuses. However, this comes at a cost: the Traveler’s suit becomes increasingly haunted.
Hallucinations intensify, whispers echo in safe rooms, and ghostly figures appear where no enemies exist. The line between reality and delusion is constantly blurred. Cronos masterfully manipulates paranoia, keeping players questioning their senses at all times.
Jump scares, glitchy visuals, and phantom threats contribute to the tension. While monsters share similarities with Dead Space’s necromorphs—unstable, fleshy abominations—the design here is fresh. They evolve dynamically, gaining acid attacks, armor, or brutal physical power the longer they feast on corpses.
Level Design and Atmosphere
Few horror games capture atmosphere as effectively as Cronos. Environments are unsettlingly organic—whole districts are swallowed by pulsating biomass, resembling grotesque living structures. At times, the Traveler seems to wade through the insides of a giant creature, with veins and tissue covering brutalist Soviet ghettos. It’s both repulsive and mesmerizing, creating an unforgettable sensory experience.
Level layouts are cleverly interconnected, encouraging exploration. Optional routes may lead to rescuing stray cats, uncovering lore, or finding upgrades. Every corner holds tension—should you risk precious ammo for a potential reward, or conserve resources for inevitable larger battles?
Boss fights and arena encounters punctuate the campaign. While not overly frequent, they do occasionally feel predictable—telegraphed by large, empty areas littered with resource crates. Even then, Cronos maintains pressure by ensuring you’re always just one step away from running out of supplies.
Upgrades and Customization
Progression relies on collecting scarce currency and rare modules for weapon and suit upgrades. Each choice feels significant: Do you invest in a stronger firearm, expand inventory space, or enhance your flamethrower? Decisions carry weight, and respec options allow you to experiment when strategies falter.
This system, combined with limited inventory and resource scarcity, ensures gameplay always feels tight and desperate. You are constantly backed into a corner, embodying the survival horror ethos.
Final Verdict
Cronos: The New Dawn is a grotesque, captivating, and unforgettable survival horror experience. It blends old-school mechanics with modern polish, offering a gripping story filled with mystery, chilling level design, and intense psychological scares.
Bloober Team has proven itself capable of more than remakes—they’ve delivered a wholly original nightmare that both honors the classics and pushes the genre forward. Fans of Dead Space will find familiar thrills, while veterans of PS1/PS2-era horror will appreciate the intricate design and atmospheric callbacks.
This isn’t just another horror game. Cronos: The New Dawn is a disturbing masterpiece that demands your attention—and rewards it with one of the most chilling journeys of recent years.
By Radoslav Jokic
Updated on 10th September 2025